Friday, February 27, 2015

Four months is a really long time to live in the same place. Even though Sash and I have had some good times here, and we made some new friends, I really feel the need to make like a tree and leave.

And that's what we did this afternoon.

We finally left our Winter retreat in San Diego and got back to our Road Pickling ways. We headed east to Arizona, en route to Tucson for some 25 days. From there we'll head up to Scottsdale for Arizona Bike Week.

As I write this, I'm sitting at a desk in a comfy hotel room in Yuma, AZ. We're only here for just the night. Tomorrow, we arrive in Tucson.

After Arizona, it's a long trip up the Pacific Northwest to Seattle, then down through Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado.

Originally, we decided against returning to Sturgis, SD for the 75th annual rally, but we've changed our minds. We'll be there primarily to show our support for Indian Motorcycles, considering Sash has had their new Scout for a few months.

Throughout the trip, we'll also hit up Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico.

As it turned out, the Indian Scout that Sash got on loan for two months from Indian Motorcycles is now hers to ride indefinitely, except she has to keep it within Southern California. Since that doesn't fit into our Road Pickle plans, Sash talked to them about taking it on our first month of Road Pickle through Arizona, and exposing it to a couple of motorcycle events, including Bike Week. They agreed. Our plan is to return it to Indian at the end of March when we make our way north through California.

It seems Indian really likes the website we built for the Scout, which in turn has apparently referred some sales to an Indian dealer in San Diego. It's interesting how much coaxing and relationship-building it took for Sash to get the Scout from Indian, but now that she has it, they're eager to let her hold on to it.

But Sash is still intent on getting another Scout. Maybe when we get back, they'll loan her next year's model?

The four months we've been in San Diego have not been a hibernation by any means. We landed some new business which we feel hopeful will generate more income for our nomadic lifestyle.

Sash is looking forward to stopping at many taco shops across the country. I'm looking forward to stopping at many craft breweries. Hopefully, the two of us won't be stopping any time soon. We're both so happy to get back to our Road Pickling ways. It feels like home.

Leaving our vacation rental in the Banker's
Hill community of San Diego

Sash rolling down I-8 east on the Indian Scout,
and wearing her Indian biker vest too

Gas stop at the Shell Station in Jacumba, CA

Sash licking the guacamole from her fingers at
Johnny's Burritos, El Centro, CA

Our bikes parked out front of Johnny's Burritos,
El Centro, CA

Another shot of our bikes parked in front.

Sash sporting her Dolce & Gabbana shades

The I-8 in California is miles and miles of arid
desert, with Border Patrol keeping an eye out.

Just one word. Envy. I so want to ride and love what the two of you are doing with living on the road. How refreshing it is to read about people who changed their lives in order to do what they really want. Good for you!

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About Steve

A vagabond who hauls a motorcycle around the country in a toy hauler, earning a living as a website developer. Can often be found where there's free Wi-Fi, craft beer, and/or public nudity. (Read more...)